Decentralised cooperation: what future for local to local EU’s development policy after 2020?

For decades, European cities and regions have worked hand in hand with partners within Europe and across Africa, Asia or Latin America to establish partnerships and carry out cooperation and development projects together.

This ‘decentralised cooperation’ has made it possible to better adapt the EU’s cooperation and development policies to the needs of the people in the field, as they get engaged in the decision making process.

However, with the new Multiannual Financial Framework about to be negotiated, the role of local authorities in EU’s cooperation with third countries might be at stake

In this Special Report, we will assess the role of decentralised cooperation in the European Union after 2020.

Decentralised cooperation has been a pillar in international development for the past 10 years but stakeholders fear the new EU long-term budget might threaten the role of local authorities in the field.

Good news for all the supporters of development policies: city-to-city development cooperation will remain at the heart of the EU’s external action. And localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a priority supported by the European Union, writes Frédéric Vallier.

With negotiations on the next EU long-term budget about to start, Commissioner Neven Mimica defended the European commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals and praised the role local authorities play in international cooperation in an interview with EURACTIV.com.